Aramendia closes in on NASCAR Late Model title at S.A. Speedway

Joe Aramendia, driving a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, came one step closer to clinching the track championship by winning both of the 25-lap NASCAR Late Model feature races Saturday night at San Antonio Speedway.

Aramendia, who entered the pair of feature races with a 38-point lead over defending track champion Robert Barker in the standings, extended his lead to 54 points over Barker after claiming both events.

In the first race, Aramendia and Barker made heavy contact with one another while racing for the lead and Barker ended up crashing into the wall. Barker’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo was heavily damaged and he was unable to continue. Barker finished a distant eighth in the first race.

In the second race Barker returned in a back up car, but he wasn’t able to get around Aramendia and he settled for second place.

Aramendia has won 10 of the 15 races this season at SAS. He can lock up the title next Saturday at SAS with a top ten finish. Barker, who mathematically is almost eliminated from winning the title, has won five times this season and is the only other driver in the series besides Aramendia who has managed to post a victory.

San Antonio Speedway will close out the 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season on Saturday at 7 p.m. The race card will feature the NASCAR Late Models, along with the Sportsman, Road Runner and Grand Stock classes.